Starting today, Special Events Magazine is accepting entries for its 2010 Gala Awards competition, which honors the finest work in special events.

This year's competition is open to events that have taken place between Sept. 1, 2009, and Aug. 31, 2010. Events that place after Aug. 31 may be entered in next year's competition.

Entries—which remain only $99 each—are due Sept. 17. "Late-bird" entries—which are $125 each—are due Sept. 24.

Nominees will be notified after Nov. 15; winners will receive their trophies at The Special Event 2011 in Phoenix.

The Special Events Magazine Advisory Board has streamlined some of the rules for this year's competition. Highlights are:

• Entries must be anonymous
• Only entries with a dollar figure in the category title must include a budget
• Be sure to put the name of your event, the date/dates of your event and the name of the category you are entering on the cover of your binder.

For all the information and forms you need to enter the Gala Awards, please click here and read "How to Enter This Year's Gala Competition."

The entry form also appears in the July/August issue of Special Events.

Gala trophy by MK Shannon Awards and Rewards